Tudo bem? ... How are you? What’s up? (In almost all situations it is appropriate to start a conversation with this expression) Tudo bem! (When someone asks you “tudo bem?,” you should respond with this phrase.) Legal ... Cool Cade? ... Where is it? Não falo portugues. ... I don’t speak Portuguese. Não entendo ... I don’t understand. Não ... No Sim ... Yes Sou dos Estados Unidos ... I’m from the US. Obrigada/o ... Thank you (If you are a guy, always use “obrigado.” If you’re a girl, “obrigada.” Por favor ... Please Quero_ ... I want_ Gosto _ ... I like ___ A conta … the bill/check Boate ... club Coitado ... poor thing Saude! ... cheers! (Alternatively, it means health.) Tudo certo? ... Everything okay? Fica a vontade ... Make yourself at home. A casa é sua ... Make yourself at home (also). Carioca … a person from Rio
Gestures
Cariocas can be very expressive and use unique gestures to convey their message. These are a few of the common gestures that you may see (be sure to check out the video!):
Meaning
How to Make the Gesture
When You Might See It Used
Cheio … full
Palm up, touch thumb to four fingers
We can’t get in because the club is full.
A Conta … bring the check
Move hand like you are signing a paper
Waiter, please bring the check we are ready to leave.
Tudo bom (It’s all good) tudo mal (things are bad)
Thumbs up/ thumbs down
Passing an acquaintance on the street.
Ladrao (thief/look out for thieves)
Palm down, move hand in a circle from left to right while making a fist.
Watch that guy over there, I think he’s a thief!
Olha! … Pay attention
Put your finger below your eye.
Look out for pick-pockets.
I don’t care/ It doesn’t matter
Smack hands back and forth.
I don’t care what he says!
Cultural Customs
Greetings: The most common way to greet someone new (even at the first introduction) is to say “Tudo bem? Or “Prazer” (It’s a pleasure) and give one kiss on each cheek. This may vary if the introduction is between two men or two women or if you are in a professional situation, so take your cues from the person you are meeting or the person introducing you. Pets: Cariocas love their pets. Dogs (with and without leashes) abound on the streets of Ipanema. Most owners/dog walkers clean up after their pets, but watch out for the xi-xi (pee) on the sidewalks. Since people here treat pets more like their own children, you’re host family may have a dog walker or a dog groomer that comes to the house frequently.
Household help: Many cariocas have household help that either visits several times a week or even live with the family. Often, maids will do the laundry, cook and clean up around the house. Almost every building has a doorman and someone who sweeps the sidewalk in front of the building. Beach life: Cariocas spend a lot of time on or near the beach. If you are a very active person, there are places for volleyball and soccer, as well as small gyms set up for chin-ups and stretching. A bike path for joggers, cyclists, skate boarders and roller bladers runs along the beach and lakes in Rio. But the beach can be relaxing as well. Small juice stands and street food vendors line the beaches. People selling beach chairs and kangas (Rio’s version of a beach towel for women) are also plentiful. Everything you need for a fun day at the beach will be available to you!
Useful Words/Expressions for Rio:
Tudo bem? ... How are you? What’s up? (In almost all situations it is appropriate to start a conversation with this expression)
Tudo bem! (When someone asks you “tudo bem?,” you should respond with this phrase.)
Legal ... Cool
Cade? ... Where is it?
Não falo portugues. ... I don’t speak Portuguese.
Não entendo ... I don’t understand.
Não ... No
Sim ... Yes
Sou dos Estados Unidos ... I’m from the US.
Obrigada/o ... Thank you (If you are a guy, always use “obrigado.” If you’re a girl, “obrigada.”
Por favor ... Please
Quero_ ... I want_
Gosto _ ... I like ___
A conta … the bill/check
Boate ... club
Coitado ... poor thing
Saude! ... cheers! (Alternatively, it means health.)
Tudo certo? ... Everything okay?
Fica a vontade ... Make yourself at home.
A casa é sua ... Make yourself at home (also).
Carioca … a person from Rio
Gestures
Cariocas can be very expressive and use unique gestures to convey their message. These are a few of the common gestures that you may see (be sure to check out the video!):
Cultural Customs
Greetings: The most common way to greet someone new (even at the first introduction) is to say “Tudo bem? Or “Prazer” (It’s a pleasure) and give one kiss on each cheek. This may vary if the introduction is between two men or two women or if you are in a professional situation, so take your cues from the person you are meeting or the person introducing you.Pets: Cariocas love their pets. Dogs (with and without leashes) abound on the streets of Ipanema. Most owners/dog walkers clean up after their pets, but watch out for the xi-xi (pee) on the sidewalks. Since people here treat pets more like their own children, you’re host family may have a dog walker or a dog groomer that comes to the house frequently.
Household help: Many cariocas have household help that either visits several times a week or even live with the family. Often, maids will do the laundry, cook and clean up around the house. Almost every building has a doorman and someone who sweeps the sidewalk in front of the building.
Beach life: Cariocas spend a lot of time on or near the beach. If you are a very active person, there are places for volleyball and soccer, as well as small gyms set up for chin-ups and stretching. A bike path for joggers, cyclists, skate boarders and roller bladers runs along the beach and lakes in Rio. But the beach can be relaxing as well. Small juice stands and street food vendors line the beaches. People selling beach chairs and kangas (Rio’s version of a beach towel for women) are also plentiful. Everything you need for a fun day at the beach will be available to you!